The undergraduate Atmospheric Science curriculum is designed with two goals in mind. The basic curriculum meets the guidelines of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), and the requirements for employment in the National Weather Service (NWS) and a variety of consulting and professional meteorological services. Students who are considering an advanced degree will also be well-prepared for graduate school, and typically add additional mathematics, physics, and atmospheric science courses to the basic curriculum. Students who wish to broaden their studies of the environment may also choose from courses in the Science of Earth Systems Program, which may be completed in conjunction with Atmospheric Sciences major.
The curriculum in Atmospheric Science emphasizes the scientific study of the behavior of weather and climate, and applications to the important practical problems of weather forecasting and climate prediction. Students develop a fundamental understanding of atmospheric processes, and acquire skill and experience in the analysis, interpretation and forecasting of meteorological events. The curriculum includes a strong foundation in basic mathematics and science courses; core courses in atmospheric thermodynamics, atmospheric dynamics, and synoptic meteorology; and choices among a variety of Atmospheric Science electives. Two curricular options are offered, both of which include opportunities for each student to pursue individual interest and goals. In addition, students often take advantage of internships after the sophomore and junior years, which provide opportunities for work experience in operational and research activities in Atmospheric Science.
Cornell is the only Ivy League university offering an undergraduate program in Atmospheric Science. The program features small classes and a high ratio of faculty to students, yet its location within Cornell allows students to choose among a rich variety of elective courses and extracurricular activities.
Mark W. Wysocki, Undergraduate Coordinator, 1114 Bradfield Hall, 607-255-3034 or 607-255-2568, mww3@cornell.edu .
| EAS | 1310 | Basic Principles of Meteorology |
| EAS | 1330 | Basic Meteorology Lab |
| EAS | 1340 | Weather Analysis and Forecasting |
| EAS | 2500 | Meteorological Observations and Instruments |
| EAS | 2680 | Climate and Global Warming |
| EAS | 2900 | Computer Programming and Meteorology Software |
| EAS | 2960 | Forecast Competition |
| EAS | 3050 | Climate Dynamics |
| EAS | 3340 | Microclimatology |
| EAS | 3410 | Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Hydrostatics |
| EAS | 3420 | Atmospheric Dynamics |
| EAS | 3520 | Synoptic Meteorology I |
| EAS | 4350 | Statistics in Meteorology and Climatology |
| EAS | 4470 | Physical Meteorology |
| EAS | 4510 | Synoptic Meteorology II |
| EAS | 4560 | Mesoscale Meteorology |
| EAS | 4570 | Atmospheric Air Pollution |
| EAS | 4700 | Weather Forecasting and Analysis |
| EAS | 4800 | Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry |
| EAS | 4820 | Atmospheric Modeling |
| EAS | 4830 | Environmental Biophysics |
| EAS | 4840 | Inverse Methods in the Natural Sciences |
| EAS | 4870 | Introduction to Radar Remote Sensing |
| EAS | 4940 | Special Topics in Atmospheric Science |
| EAS | 4960 | Internship Experience in Atmospheric Science |
| EAS | 4970 | Individual Study in Atmospheric Science |
| EAS | 4980 | Teaching Experience in Atmospheric Science |
| EAS | 4990 | Undergraduate Research in Atmospheric Science |
| EAS | 5840 | Inverse Methods in the Natural Sciences |
| EAS | 6480 | Air Quality and Atmospheric Chemistry |
| EAS | 6520 | Advanced Atmospheric Dynamics |
| EAS | 6660 | Applied Multivariate Statistics |
| EAS | 6750 | Modeling the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere System |
| EAS | 6920 | Special Topics in Atmospheric Science |
| EAS | 7110 | Upper Atmospheric and Space Physics |
| EAS | 8500 | Masters Level Thesis Research in Atmospheric Science |
| EAS | 9500 | Graduate Level Dissertation Research in Atmospheric Science |
| EAS | 9510 | Doctoral Level Dissertation Research in Atmospheric Science |
1. Atmospheric Sciences
- EAS 3410, 3420, 3520, 4470, 4510
- See Tracks listed below for additional required courses
2. Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science
- MATH 1110, 1120, (1920 or 2130), 2930
- AEM 2100 or equivalent
- EAS 2900 or equivalent
3. Basic Physical Science
- PHYS 2207, 2208, or equivalent
- CHEM 1560
The following courses are usually taken at the times indicated.
| Year | Fall Semester | Credit Hrs | Spring Semester | Credit Hrs |
| Freshman | Freshman Seminar | 3 | Freshman Seminar | 3 |
| Calculus (Math1110) | 4 | Calculus (Math1120) | 4 | |
| Principles of Meteorology (EAS1310) | 3 | Meteorological Observations and Instruments (EAS2500) | 3 | |
| Physical Education | 0 | Physical Education | 0 | |
| | ||||
| Sophomore | Physics (2207) | 4 | Physics (2208) | 4 |
| Calculus (Math 2130,1920) | 4 | Calculus (Math 2930) | 4 | |
| At least one CALS course, usually an Atmospheric Science elective. | At least one CALS course | |||
| | ||||
| Junior | Atmospheric Thermodynamic (EAS3410) | 3 | Atmospheric Dynamics (EAS3420) | 3 |
| Statistical Methods (AEM21000) | 3 | Synoptic Meteorology (EAS3520) | 3 | |
| *Physical Meteorology (EAS4470) | 3 | |||
| | ||||
| Senior | Synoptic Meteorology (EAS4510) | 3 | Atmospheric Science electives | |
| Statistical Methods in Meteorology (EAS4350) | 3 |
*offered alternate years
In addition to these courses, one course each in Chemistry and Statistics, and at least 6 credits of Atmospheric Science electives must be completed; and the general education requirement of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences must be satisfied.
| Track | Required | Suggested |
| Operational | EAS 2500 | EAS 1310/1330 |
| EAS 2960 | EAS 2680 | |
| EAS 4560 | EAS 3310 | |
| EAS 4700 | EAS 4350 | |
| | ||
| Education | EAS 1310/1330 | Courses in ASTRO/EAS |
| EAS 2500 | Minor in Education | |
| | ||
| Broadcasting | EAS 1310/1330 | EAS 268 |
| EAS 2500 | Minor in Communication | |
| EAS 2960 | ||
| EAS 4700 | ||
| COMM 2010 | ||
| | ||
| Business | EAS 1310/1330 | EAS 2680 |
| EAS 2680 | ||
| | ||
| Environmental | CHEM 2070/2080 | EAS 1310/1330 |
| EAS 3340 | EAS 2500 | |
| EAS 4570 | EAS 2680 | |
| EAS 3020 | ||
| EAS 3310 | ||
| EAS 4350 | ||
| EAS 4830 |
It is recommended that students who are interested in graduate study in atmospheric science should take additional courses in mathematics and physics.

